will quickly teach the fools who still "haven't figured it out."

I shake your hand. N. Lenin

P.S. And Plekhanov's "Diary"!!! Don't forget, I'm waiting for it.

Written in early September
1909

Sent from Bombon (France)
to Paris

First printed in 1933. Printed from manuscript

in Lenin Collection XXV

TO G. E. ZINOVIEV

Tuesday.

Dear Gr.!

I received the article on the Swedish strike. Excellent. I sent it to Paris along with the conclusion of my article on Bogdanov (came out to 100 lines — 2 pages of "Proletariat" in the Supplement). I don't know now whether you will approve of everything. I leave it entirely to your discretion: I'm so sick of writing this article that I don't know now whether it wouldn't be better to cross the whole thing out and answer Bogdanov literally with just a couple of lines regarding his gossip about the "property of the entire faction." You decide!

I will write about Plekhanov. The leading article should be about the Swedish strike.

I shake your hand. Lenin

Written on September 7 or 14
1909

Sent from Bombon (France)
to Paris

First printed in 1930. Printed from manuscript

in Lenin Collection XIII

This refers to the article "On the Faction of Supporters of Otzovism and God-Building" (see Works, 5th ed., vol. 19, pp. 74-108). Editor.

TO K. GUÉSDE. SEPTEMBER 11, 1909

TO K. GUÉSDE

11.9.09.

Dear Guésde!

I am very surprised that comrade Charles Rappoport, who promised me to translate the program and charter of our party, still hasn't written to you. He promised me to write to you several weeks ago.

In two or three days I will be in Paris, and I will immediately ask Rappoport and notify you.

As for the matter of Mr. Hertsik, it is very good that you have withdrawn the more than unjust accusation against our party.

You ask for the address of the comrade "to whom Hertsik should apply." I repeat: he should apply to the committees of those parties whose representatives participated in the court that examined Hertsik's case. The address of the Foreign Bureau of the Central Committee of the Russian Social-Democratic Workers' Party is as follows: to Mr. D. Kotlyarenko (for the Bureau, etc.) 110 Rue de l'Orléans 110. Rue. XIV. This address is systematically published in our newspapers. I also repeat that I will never answer Hertsik, because this scoundrel permits himself to make extremely insulting insinuations against Russian social-democrats. It's simple as that. If he dares to claim that Russian social-democrats are "biased" judges, why doesn't he apply to the committees of other parties that judged him?

Your N. Lenin

W. Guésde
4. Rue Marie Rose. 4
Paris. XIV.

Sent from Bombon (France)
to Brussels

First printed in French in 1962
in the journal "Cahiers du Monde
Russe et Soviétique" No. 4

Printed in Russian for the first time, from photocopies of the manuscript
Translated from French


TO A. I. LYUBIMOV

Dear Mark!

Being occupied yesterday with an article, I made a mistake in omitting from Grigory's draft (the answer to the Capri people on behalf of the Executive Commission) an invitation to a representative. This nonsense must be struck out entirely: one must invite students to Paris to study, absolutely not a representative. The representative could be chosen even from among ardent Otzovists and even Lyadov or Aleksinsky, and then we would be made fools of. No, there can be no question of inviting a representative.

I still don't have Plekhanov's "Diary." I urgently beg you to arrange for the publishing house to send it immediately. I cannot write the commissioned article without it.

I shake your hand. N. Lenin

I sent you a check by registered mail yesterday. I hope you received it?

Written in the first half of
September 1909

Sent from Bombon (France)
to Paris

First printed in 1933. Printed from manuscript

in Lenin Collection XXV

TO THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE RSDWP

The Editorial Board of "Proletariat," in view of the distribution among foreign S.D. groups of a printed leaflet signed "Sasha" (the leaflet is appended herewith) containing accusations against the Editorial Board of "Proletariat" — and further, in view of the fact that certain opponents of "Proletariat," both from among those "removed" after the recent conference of Bolsheviks and from among the Mensheviks, are using this leaflet to discuss among groups a "sensational" "business" which in no way can be subject to the jurisdiction and examination of any local party groups whatsoever —

requests the Central Committee of the RSDWP to take the accusations of "Sasha" under its examination, to consider these accusations on the merits, and to issue an official decision of the supreme organ of the party.

Written September 17, 1909
in Paris (local)

First printed in 1933. Printed from manuscript

in Lenin Collection XXV

[Editorial note: Executive Commission of the Bolshevik Center. Editor.]

TO K. GUÉSDE

17.9.09.

My dear Guésde!

Upon arriving in Paris, I received your letter of 15.9.09. I visited the secretary of our committee's bureau. He informed me that he recently received a letter from Hertsik and from the committee of the Bund. From it, it is clear that Hertsik has at last applied to the committees of other parties — which he should have done earlier. The Bund is in favor of review. The Foreign Bureau of the Central Committee of our party will examine the request for review. Thus, I hope that the "Hertsik incident" is closed.

As for Rappoport, he asks you to inform him of the exact date by which you absolutely must have the translation of the program and charter. Be so kind as to communicate the final date to my address or to Rappoport's address, 39 Boulevard Port Royal, 39. Paris. XIII.

Comrade Rappoport says that his position as a literary proletarian forces him to request payment for the translation at your discretion. He has firmly promised me to prepare the translation by the date you specify.


As for the historical overview, I found a Russian comrade who will complete this work in a few days.

Your N. Lenin

Sent from Paris to Brussels

First printed in French in 1962
in the journal "Cahiers du Monde
Russe et Soviétique" No. 4

Printed in Russian for the first time, from photocopies of the manuscript
Translated from French

TO M. P. TOMSKY

Dear comrade, I have just returned to our capital here and read your letter about affairs. Regarding the school, you are mistaken in thinking that "our affairs are rotten." Not rotten at all. That workers, once given money, agree to go to the magnificent south — that is natural, there's nothing to complain about. One must simply pass resolutions so that on the return journey these workers stop here for a month — that's the crux of the matter. Without a stop here all the phrases about "control," "leadership," and so forth — are nothing but sheer "blather" or hypocrisy. Stop here — and you will learn not only the squawking of Aleksinsky and the "socialism" of Lunacharsky. And believe me, on this path — by befuddling 20-50 workers with your learning — you won't get far. No, this is suitable for noise, for boasting with a letter from Kautsky, for foreign intrigue, but there is nothing serious in this whispering. Know firmly that this is not a "school," but a new foreign Eroginsky dormitory for whispering otzovistic nonsense to dozens of workers. Maximov and Co. will make noise over this and disgrace themselves.

Regarding Trotsky, unfortunately, the matter is not working out. We offered him ideally favorable conditions, sincerely desiring a bloc with him: support for him, covering the deficit of "Pravda," equality in the editorial board, his move here; he won't agree, demanding a majority in the editorial board (two Trotskyists and one Bolshevik!). Obviously, we are unable to maintain a non-party, but a Trotskyist newspaper in another city. Trotsky doesn't want to build a party together with the Bolsheviks, but to create his own faction. Well, let him try! With "his" faction he will win over some from the Mensheviks, a few from us, but in the final analysis will inevitably lead the workers to Bolshevism.

As for the "easy review of the agrarian question," as you ironically put it, then if the discussion here concerns the role of the peasantry in the revolution, then one must be more careful in this case. One must begin with a discussion in the all-party or all-Bolshevik press. I especially warn against hasty rejections of Bolshevism and exaggerated faith in the success of Stolypin's agrarian policy. No doubt, it has posed new problems that must be studied and studied, it has opened the possibility of a non-revolutionary outcome, but from this to its complete success is still as far as to a star in the heavens.

Lenin

Written in September,
before the 20th, 1909
Sent from Paris to Moscow

Printed for the first time,
from manuscript copy
(mail interception)

TO K. GUÉSDE

30/9 09.

Dear comrade Guésde!

I am sending you today the translation of the program and charter of our party (by registered parcel post). Be so kind as to send me a proof for correction.

As for the overview, I will send it to you in a few days.

I have settled the question of payment for the translator (Rappoport). This expense will be borne by our Central Committee.

I am hearing for the first time that there is a representative of the parliamentary group in the Bureau itself. After Stuttgart we had one Bureau meeting and the representative from the parliamentary group to the Bureau was never once mentioned. Upon receiving your letter, I immediately wrote to the representative of the social-democratic faction in the Third Duma and informed him. One shouldn't expect a quick answer, since during the recess in the work of the Duma the deputies are not in Petersburg.

As for the report of our party to the congress in Copenhagen, I will do everything possible to see that we this time don't remain without a report. I have already taken the necessary steps. Regarding David's plan, I think it is nothing more than "pious wishes." Did the Bureau approve this plan? Does "a single model" really exist as a reality and not merely as a project?

Your N. Lenin

Sent from Paris to Brussels

First printed in French in 1962
in the journal "Cahiers du Monde
Russe et Soviétique" No. 4

Printed in Russian for the first time, from photocopies of the manuscript
Translated from French

TO A. I. LYUBIMOV

Dear Mark!

Regarding the school, a real game is indeed beginning, and you are right that we must think carefully about the answer. I propose a draft, and in case the correspondence with all members of the Executive Commission of the Bolshevik Center takes considerable time (the correspondence, in my opinion, should be conducted through one person, that is, through you), I advise the secretary of the Bolshevik Center to answer the "School Council" that the letter has been received and forwarded to the members of the Executive Commission, whose answer and decision will now, so to speak, take some time, since everyone is away. Only write to them with a certain amount of venom: they say, I know that the Executive Commission members Gr., Inok, and Lenin have already answered for themselves regarding the school, but the Council has to receive an answer from the entire collegium.

It was not possible to establish what E. David's plan consisted of. Editor.

DRAFT ANSWER TO THE LETTER FROM THE CAPRI SCHOOL COUNCIL

I have a request for you. Send me a letter to the editorial office of "Proletariat" signed by Mark or another alias of yours. Content approximately as follows: "regarding the printed statement of comrade Domov with accusations against the Editorial Board of 'Proletariat' for schism, for not producing popular brochures, for betrayal of Bolshevism, for rapprochement with Plekhanov, for 'Dumism' and so forth and so on, I consider it useful to acquaint party comrades with the present views of comrade Domov. In the presence of comrade Maximov, Lyadov, and myself, he declared: 'there are now two harmful prejudices: first — that we have a party, second — that a revolution is impending in Russia.' I already proclaimed this at a report before Paris Bolsheviks in the presence of comrade Maximov, who could not dispute the accuracy of the fact. So let comrades know who is now advancing against 'Proletariat.'"

Really, we must expose this little gang! We will print your letter and answer them as they deserve.

I shake your hand. Your Lenin

Written in October, not before the 2nd,
1909 in Paris (local)

Printed for the first time, from manuscript

DRAFT ANSWER TO THE LETTER
FROM THE CAPRI SCHOOL COUNCIL

I propose to answer:

"Respected comrades! In view of the obviously mocking character of your letter of 28.9.09 in response to our proposal 'to transfer the actual organization and leadership of organizing a propaganda school abroad to the Central Committee of the party or to the expanded Editorial Board of "Proletariat,"' we consider it unnecessary to answer it and can propose to you only one thing: publish your letter."

Written in October, not before the 2nd,
1909 in Paris

First printed in 1933
in Lenin Collection XXV

Printed from manuscript


TO THE FOREIGN COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL
JEWISH WORKERS' UNION (THE BUND)

10.X.09.

Respected comrades!

I received your letter of 7.X today. Unfortunately, I decidedly have no possibility of leaving Paris now and therefore am unable to take part in the court that you are organizing.

With comradely greetings

N. Lenin

Sent from Paris to Geneva. Printed for the first time, from manuscript

TO F. M. KOIGEN

Personal to Ionov

10/X 09

Dear comrade! In Geneva at present (temporarily) is Innocentii. Find him through Minin (manager of the library, Bibliothèque russe, 1 Rue Bièvres) — I don't know Inny's address. Talk with him about the matter you write to me about, because written correspondence here is inconvenient, and Inny is much better informed than I am about all organizational matters and more capable of sorting them out.

By the way: I received an invitation from the Foreign Committee of the Bund to the court. I must refuse, unfortunately, decidedly. I hope this will not trouble your important undertaking (i.e., the court) — to the participation in which you could invite Innocentii, and in general don't trouble yourself finding me a substitute.

With comradely greetings

N. Lenin

Sent from Paris to Geneva

Printed for the first time, from manuscript

TO THE SECRETARY OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD OF "PROLETARIAT." OCTOBER 19, 1909

TO V. A. KARPINSKY

Dear K.!

Please inform me how you have decided about the library. Is it true that negotiations with the student society haven't ended yet?

Or is it true that you have definitely decided not to go?

Could it be Viktor who wavered you? I am somewhat annoyed with him for going alone, depriving us here of the help of the most useful administrator, which is how I regard him. He is now "for Geneva." I think mistakenly: we won't go to Geneva.

Do you have a catalogue of Bek's (Bonch's) library? Please send it if you do.

I am waiting for a more precise answer about your move. There is talk in our editorial office about transporting one of Bonch's libraries. The matter must be clarified precisely — and as soon as possible.

Greetings to Olga, Nik. Iv., and other friends.

I shake your hand. Your Lenin

Written in the first half of
October 1909

Sent from Paris to Geneva

First printed in 1930. Printed from manuscript

in Lenin Collection XIII

TO THE SECRETARY OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD OF "PROLETARIAT"

Read it and turn it over to me!!

And I propose the correspondence from Petersburg for the Central Organ.
